Abstract: A drum handling tool is provided by a lever having a plurality of gripping cradles. Each gripping cradle has a plurality of gripping elements disposed relative to one another to allow positioning of the gripping elements in impinging contact with both major surfaces of a cylindrical rim section to provide at least two, spaced areas of contact between the gripping cradle and each major surface of the section. The spacing of the gripping elements of each gripping cradle is different from the spacing for the gripping elements of the remaining gripping cradles allowing each gripping cradle to be used with cylindrical rim sections different widths and circumferences.